Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

5 from 1 vote

These Strawberry Cheesecake Bars combine a buttery shortbread crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and fresh strawberries for a dessert that’s simple to bake yet feels special. Perfect for any occasion, they’re a sweet treat you’ll want to make again and again!

Prep Time20

Cook Time45

Cooling Time1 30

Total Time2 35

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

Servings:

Calories: 156kcal

Author: Ryan Allen

Ingredients

½ cup salted butter softened
½ cup white granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 (8 ounce) blocks of cream cheese softened
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
2 teaspoons fresh strawberries diced

Instructions

Preheat your oven to350°F and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Use an electric hand mixer to whisk the butter and sugar together in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. Whisk in a teaspoon of vanilla extract followed by the flour. Make sure no pockets of flour remain in your cookie dough.
Press about ¾ of the shortbread cookie dough into the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.
While the shortbread is baking, prepare your cheesecake filling. Use an electric handmixer to whisk the cream cheese for about a minute, or until smooth. Add the sour cream, eggs, and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Pour your cheesecake mixture over the shortbread. Top the cheesecake batter with the diced strawberries. Sprinkle the rest of the shortbread dough on top and bake for another 30 minutes, or until the cheesecake is no longer jiggly.
Let your cheesecake bars cool on the counter for 30 minutes and then transfer them to the fridge to cool for at least an hour. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

Be sure to let the cream cheese soften before mixing, as this prevents lumps and creates a smooth cheesecake layer.
Bake the shortbread crust first so it firms up and supports the cheesecake filling without turning soggy.
Dice the strawberries into small, even pieces for the best texture and to avoid excess moisture.
Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing, since chilling makes it much easier to cut neat, even squares.

Nutrition